Cleveland Heights police make new push to solve two murders from 1982

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS – For more than three decades Cleveland Heights detectives have been working to find the killer or killers responsible for murdering a young girl, and an East Cleveland school teacher.

Detectives have now teamed up with Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County in hopes of solving both cases.

“You are talking about two young women both found within one week of each other, both suffered a violent death and both deserve justice,” said Cleveland Heights Police Chief Annette Mecklenburg.

The body of 14-year-old Sonya Green was found behind Severance Center on December 15, 1982. She was last seen alive walking to school near her East Cleveland home.

“I was very angry for a long, long time,” said Green’s father, Jerome. “I want justice for her.”

And Richard McIntosh, a retired Cleveland detective who is now with Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County, agrees.

“There is no reason for a young child like this to be brutally assaulted and murdered and left to die in a snow bank,” McIntosh said. “We need to get this resolved.”

A week after Green was found, the body of Annette Lawrence was found inside the trunk of her car behind Severance Center.

“It was December 23, 1982,” said Bill Jelenic, of Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County. “We believe someone knows something and we need them to come forward.”

Police say they do have DNA and other evidence that was collected at the scene.

Cleveland Heights Detective Mike Reese says he is hoping anyone with information will call police as soon as possible.

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for the murders.